Expert: Lorry - 4/6/2008

Question
Hello,
 I am trying to "fix" my sister's laptop (inspiron 1600), but things are just not working out. The problems that I am experiencing are trojan viruses,cookies,trying to steal passwords, porn popping up. ...its crazy. Right when I log on a "program" tells me that I have like 68 viruses and then asks to fix them. I can tell that is the virus working right there. My wallpaper turns red and says something about my privacy. Anyway, I have tried several anti-virus software but none of them find the problem. I have used spybot,ad-aware, and AVG. All of them are the free trials, and I really dont want to pay money for one. I have ran the computer in safe-mode and none of the viruses are around when I am in safemode. I am good with computers even though I am only 15. I even built mine, but right now I am truly perplexed. HELP

Answer
Hi Steve,

Using Internet Explorer, go to:

http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym

Click the GO button, then under Virus Detection, click Start. You might be told that you need to download and install ActiveX Controls for the scan to work, answer Yes.

Write down exactly anything it finds, then go to: http://www.symantec.com/search/  and do a search for what was found. Symantec usually has a removal tool and/or directions for removing manually. Make sure that you follow the instructions for removal, step by step, especially the part regarding disabling System Restore.

Before running Spybot and/or Ad-Aware, you checked for updates, correct?

Hope this helps!
Lorry